Brody's Cause among big names aiming for Blue Grass

Keeneland opened its main track Monday after the winter break as horses start trickling into the stable area for a 16-day spring meet that runs April 8-29.

Keeneland racing secretary Ben Huffman said known candidates for the $1 million Blue Grass Stakes on April 9 include Brody’s Cause, Cocked and Loaded, Donegal Moon, and Laoban.

A handful of California-based jockeys are expected to be more active in Kentucky than usual this spring, owing to the reconfiguration of the racing calendar in California. They include Gary Stevens, Flavien Prat, and Drayden Van Dyke. The Santa Anita winter-spring meet closes April 10, with racing switching to Los Alamitos for about 2 1/2 weeks before the Santa Anita spring-summer meet opens May 5.

The Keeneland spring meet will be the final one for director of racing Rogers Beasley, who is retiring June 30. Beasley has worked for Keeneland for 34 years.